Nicholson re-elected; board stays diverse

Democratic incumbent First Selectman Maureen Nicholson will serve another term in Pomfret’s top elected position.

The town also will keep the unique composition of its Board of Selectmen: One Democrat, one Republican and one unaffiliated.

Nicholson narrowly beat Republican challenger Peter Mann by a vote of 578-527. Mann will retain his seat on the Board of Selectman.

“I’m thrilled to be re-elected. It’s very exciting,” Nicholson said. “A historic evening in Pomfret tonight — the first woman re-elected (in Pomfret) and the first independent elected.” Barry Jessurun, an unaffiliated candidate who was endorsed by Democrats received 598 votes and also will serve on the board.

Nicholson was appointed first selectman in 2012 after the resignation of Jim Rivers. She had previously served as a selectman. A landscape designer, Nicholson wants to lead with an investment in education, open space and infrastructure in town in a fiscally responsible way.

Mann’s goal was to watch spending and have residents approve all spending or receiving of money. He also thinks the town government can work with the Board of Education to save costs on special education.

“We ran a good, clean campaign. ... We went door-to-door and spoke with a lot of people. The people of Pomfret spoke, and I’m very happy to still be on the board,” Mann said.

“Maureen Nicholson has done an outstanding job,” resident Marlene Heald said. “We need to keep Pomfret positive. For a long time, this was a Republican town, but since the Democrats, we’ve increased our open space and gotten a lot of good things done.”

Residents like Barbara Miller voted the other way.

“I’m voting Republican tonight. I’m pretty conservative,” Miller said “It’s hard with local elections, though, because they are all good candidates.”